Another question for you HR types

[priceyfatprude]

Why would you ask to run a credit check on an applicant? What do you intend to do with the information once you receive it, if I give my permission?

(ie, What do my credit scores have to do with me being able to type 60wpm & answer phones capably? )

I fully plan on asking this first paragraph when I get to the interview tomorrow, but I'd like to hear some responses from you as well.

[trisherina]

We don't run credit checks on applicants where I come from. I think it's probably contrary to human rights legislation in Canada. By the same token, interviewing employers are not permitted to query past convictions in the majority of the provinces (so, if you're an ex con looking for a job, you'd better know which is which, because in the ones that can, they do).

That's a new one on me. I'm dying to know the putative reason. By the way, under campaign finance reform laws, your prospective Murcan employer can find out the details of your voting history, and details regarding any campaign fund contributions you may have made.

[priceyfatprude]

IN-teresting...

I'd type it all in so you could read it, but that's against the law & stuff.

I will let you know how it goes.

Thank you, trish, for your insight.

[amanda]

it's pretty common up here. not against the law, no more so than doing drug testing before hiring. Why do they do it? The same reason most businesses do anything... they seeing it as protecting their butts against the bottom line. a history of bad credit could mean a liablity issue in the workplace later on.

However, I DO think it is against the law to not hire someone purely based on bad credit history.

[melissa]

This is from the Triple A website. I'm not sure if this policy applies to other companies or not.

Q: This FRCA form refers to credit. Is AAA interested in my credit history?
A: Most likely not. The law addressing third-party research services to check credit backgrounds also applies when employers use similar services to check the criminal backgrounds and driving records of prospective applicants. Any time a third party is used to check information, AAA requires the consent of the applicant in writing.

[dinzdale]

My company checks all three, and the logic is something like
1. No criminal felony record - obvious
2. Good driving record - company insurance premium goes up (we drive in and out of refineries and habe $1,000,000 coverage)
3. Credit report is vague, but the theory is that if someone is poor credit risk they might do something that hurts the company financially.

As I am an exemplary employee, I've never thought about it's fairness...

[Smartypants]

Originally posted by melissa
Q: This FRCA form refers to credit. Is AAA interested in my credit history?
A: Most likely not. The law addressing third-party research services to check credit backgrounds also applies when employers use similar services to check the criminal backgrounds and driving records of prospective applicants. Any time a third party is used to check information, AAA requires the consent of the applicant in writing.

This is so offensive! This "requires the consent of the applicant" line is SO condescending and misleading! While they cannot legally run a check without your consent, you denying them consent would surely result in them denying YOU employment.

We are supposed to believe that such rules protect workers, when in reality they are a way of controlling and intimidating them.

Laws that forbid them even asking unless it's relevant -- like if you need to be bonded because you are handling valuables -- are a much better idea.

I'm sorry you have to even worry about this to get a typing job. It's disgusting! (And it says a lot about what you might expect as an employee if you get the job.)

[trisherina]

Originally posted by Smartypants
(And it says a lot about what you might expect as an employee if you get the job.)

No kidding. Just because an employer can do something doesn't mean they should . Good management requires trust, and refusal to extend trust means that you're gonna get suspicion and hostility in return, not to mention a sense that the employer is so weak-assed that they have to use heavyhanded tactics to get a simple job done. Yum.

My brother got dismissed from his job recently by being told that he could either sign a form absolving the organization from all claims of wrongful dismissal, in return for a month's severance and glowing referrals, or he could receive a month's severance and no glowing referrals if he refused to sign. He had just been accepted for his first mortgage and was due to assume possession in a month, so he signed.

[priceyfatprude]

I asked & they are doing a background check, not a credit check. They just had it worded weirdly.

I think it went well. They let me listen to some calls, and I met w/3 different ppl. I'll hear early next week.

[melissa]

I'm glad your interview went well for you PFP. Mine was fine, but they asked me some questions that I wasn't expecting. The worst was, "How do you feel about lawsuits?" It was about the 3rd question and was totally out of the blue.

[zenbabe]

I thought you were getting out of the phone sex business!